Illegal structure: Call LBIC MD to order, Alaka allottees urge Sanwo-Olu - ITREALMS

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The Alaka Estate allottees have urged the Managing Director of the Lagos Building Investment Company PLC (LBIC), Olusola Faleye and his supposed contractor to cease forthwith any illegal construction on the demolished portion of the allotted land of Block 130 and 131.

“It is disheartening to find that against all forms of protocol, civility and respect to the Fundamental Right to own a property, which is enshrined in Section 43 of the 1999 Constitution as Amended, LBIC in cohort with some developers without any knowledge of the legal owners of the property, specifically on the 8th of February, 2025 went to level the site and began an illegal development on the land.”

Why NCC gave MTN pre-disconnection order – ITREALMS

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Some facts have begun to emerge as to why the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) recently gave a pre-disconnection notice, ITREALMS reports.

According to sources close to NCC, the order was on MTN Nigeria Communications Limited to disconnect the Exchange Telecommunications Limited also known as ‘Exchange’ as a result of interconnection indebtedness.

MRA wants Lagos to obey court’s order, investigate reporter’s death, prosecute killers - ITREALMS

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Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has called on the Lagos State Government to comply with the order of a Federal High Court in Lagos directing it to ensure an investigation into the death of Mr. Pelumi Onifade, a 20-year reporter with Gboah TV, who was reportedly arrested by the Police while covering the #EndSARS protests in 2020 and later found dead, and to identify and prosecute those responsible.

In a letter written on the organization’s behalf by its lawyer, Mr. Kingsley Kenechukwu, of the law firm of Charles Musa and Co., dated August 22, 2024 and addressed to the State’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, MRA urged the Government to “comply with the directives of the honorable court so that justice would be seen to be done and hope given to the common man that there is still justice in the judicial system.”

Explosion: Makinde signs Executive Order on safe handling of harmful substances - ITREALMS

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The Oyo State governor, 'Seyi Makinde, has signed Executive Order 001 of 2024 on the safe handling of harmful substances, reports ITREALMS.

Signing the order at the Governor's Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, Gov. Makinde said: “We are signing the Executive Order 001 of 2024, and this is on the safe-handling and storage of harmful substances within Oyo State.

Zero pothole: Makinde gives OYSROMA marching order - ITREALMS

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The Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has issued a marching order to the Oyo State Road Maintenance Agency (OYSROMA) to fix all potholes on roads in the state.

The governor, who asked residents of the state to look forward to the disappearance of potholes on their roads, assured them that the government would continue to fix potholes on the roads, while also building new ones.

FoI wahala: CBN 'must' comply with court order - ITREALMS

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The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre), has demanded that the Central Bank of Nigeria's comply with a recent court judgment in their favor, reports ITREALMS.

The judgment, relating to the case of "Incorporated Trustees of HEDA Resource Centre v. Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria; FHC/ABJ/CS/1622/2020," was issued on May 3, 2023, by Hon. Justice M.O. Olajuwon.

STOP STRIKE! FG obtains court order to restrain NLC - ITREALMS

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The National Industrial Court (NIC) has stopped the organised labour under the aegis of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) from engaging on any planned strike over the recent removal of fuel subsidy, reports ITREALMS.

The Federal Government (FG), ITREALMS gathered, had on Monday, June 5, 2023, obtained an order to stop NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) from engaging on any form of strike.

PMB denies directing AG, CBN to defy Supreme Court order - ITREALMS

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Nigerian president, General Muhammadu Buhari, retired, has denied directing the Attorney General, Mr. Abubakar Malami and Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele to defy Supreme Court order, reports ITREALMS.

A press statement from the state house, Abuja, endorsed by Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity), Garba Shehu, quoted the presidency as wishing to react to some public concerns that President Buhari did not react to the Supreme Court judgement on the issue of the N500 and N1,000 old currency notes, and states here plainly and clearly that at no time did he instruct the Attorney General and the CBN Governor to disobey any court orders involving the government and other parties.

Mbelede charges KSM members: Look beyond Nigeria’s situation, provide poor with succour @Christmas - ITREALMS

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The Supreme Knight of the Order of Knights of St. Mulumba (KSM) Nigeria, Sir Charles Mbelede, has charged members to look beyond the situation of the country and ensure they provide succour for the poor in the society, reports ITREALMS.

Sir Mbelede in his 2022 Christmas message available to ITREALMS, noted that as Christians and knights of the church, KSM members should look beyond the very stressful and frustrating situations in the country.

Mobile operators give FG 7-day ultimatum to call Kogi, FCT to order - ITREALMS

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Mobile Network Operators (MNO) under the aegis of the Association of License Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has given the Federal Government (FG) a seven-day ultimatum to call the Kogi State government and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to order or face disruptions capable of affecting service delivery nationwide, reports ITREALMS.

This follows the sealing of some telecom infrastructure and abduction of employees of telecom operating companies, especially in Kogi State.

IPOB Sit-at-home order: Between emotion and reason - ITREALMS

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I made a conscious decision to switch off from everything concerning Nigeria and Ala-Igbo which explains why I had been posting pictures that should ordinarily be private.

Yesterday, I even had to watch the reality TV show, Big Brother Naija for the first time all in an attempt to shield myself from the toxicity that is associated with the Nigerian social media space especially on issues concerning Ala-Igbo and Biafra. 

Northern youths: Afenifere must call their children to order - ITREALMS

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The Chairman of the Coalition of Northern Youths, Alhaji Mai Turere Abubakar, has advised Afenifere and others to call their children to order, reports ITREALMS.

A press statement personally endorsed by Alhaji Turere and made available to ITREALMS, read in part:

Will Buhari ever call Pantami to order? - ITREALMS

Commentary@ITREALMS:

Telecoms Act and intrusive Ministers:

The Telecommunication Act of 2003 that empowered the regulatory rights, functions and composition of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) appeared to have envisaged that someone like Dr Isa Pantami would one day become the minister of Communications.

So, it set out in its provisions to put a check on such a minister who would attempt to interfere in the work of the Commission and the sanity of the industry.

It is such clause, conspicuously written in that Act that has put in check Pantami’s predecessors who made attempts to infringe on the statutory rights of the Commission.

When will Buhari call Pantami to order?

This is what the Act says in respect of the minister’s relationship with the NCC in Section 23, chapter 3, part 1 titled Functions Of the Minister And National Frequency Management Council: “In execution of his functions and relationship with the Commission, the Minister shall at all times ensure that the independence of the Commission, in regard to the discharge of its functions and operations under this Act, is protected and not compromised in any manner whatsoever.”

Parameters for Ministers:

The Act limits the minister to:

· formulation, determination and monitoring, of the general policy for the communications sector in Nigeria with a view to ensuring, amongst others,

· utilization of the sector as a platform for the economic and social development of Nigeria ;

· negotiation and execution of international communications treaties and agreements, on behalf of Nigeria, between sovereign countries and international organisations and bodies ; and

· representation of Nigeria, in conjunction with the Commission, at proceedings of international organisations and for a on matters relating to communications.

… Even on policy formulation:

Even on policy formulation and review for the industry the minister is requested to cause the Commission on his behalf to first carry out a public consultative process on the proposed policy formulation or modification.

And on formulating and determining the policy or amendments thereto, the Minister and the Council are compelled to take into consideration the findings of the consultative process under subsection (1) of this section.

On general policy direction:

The Minister is also empowered to, in writing, from time to time, notify the Commission or and express his views on the general policy direction of the Federal Government in respect of the communications sector.

There is nowhere in the NCC Act the minister is allowed to control the work of the NCC and infringe on its operations, as he is currently doing.

ALSO READ: Voicemail: ALTON accuses Pantami of meddlesomeness - ITREALMS

NCC has operated in the past without interference, especially under the times of Presidents Olusegun Obadanjo, late Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan who ensured the NCC was not impaired in carrying out its functions.

We’ve seen likes of Pantami:

Those who tried to interfere with the running of the NCC, notably, the current governor of Kaduna, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai and late Dora Akunyili were put under check by Obasanjo. El-Rufai was at the time he tried to challenge the independence of the NCC, a director-general of the Bureau of Public Enterprise, while late Akunyili was minister of communications.

Is telecom regulator walking in tandem?

Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, who was Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, from 2000 to 2010, told the story of the shinning regulatory successes of the NCC, in a book titled: Ernest Ndukwe & Telecom Regulation- A Walk In Tandem, written by Aaron Ukodie thus: “The relative shinning performance of the NCC currently could be attributed to the fact that my predecessors were not as fortunate as I am. One operated under late Sanni Abacha, where the supposed regulator was not allowed to act on its initiatives.

Democracy and liberalized telecoms industry:

“But here we are in a civilian democratic government and pioneering, as it were, a complete liberalization of the telecoms industry.

“Here we with a President who understands what the independence of a regulatory body is, and who is anxious to see winning actions. All this, put together, places us at a vantage point to perform creditably”.

Though Nigeria is still under a democratic government, at least on paper, the acts of the current minister seem to suggest that democratic ethos would not be adhered to in the management of the sector.

Ministerial infringement reverses 20-year gains:

The current Executive Vice Chairman, Professor Umar Danbatta and his board of directors, have carried out their regulatory functions creditably well before the coming of Pantami, who now appeared to be using his alleged closeness to the president to seek to upturn the best regulatory practices of the industry and the NCC. Those watching the ongoing trend fear that should Pantami continues in infringements on the right of the NCC, and the president does not call him to order, the 20 years gains of the industry may begin to reverse.

*First published in eWorld by Aaron Ukodie, author and ICT analyst.

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Picketing of MTN, vandalisation, ALTON may order network shutdown - ITREALMS Online

ITREALMS:

The Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has decried the attempts by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to disrupt network operations via picketing and vandalisation of critical network facilities, warning of likely shutdown if activities are not checked, reports ITRealms.

ALTON through its chairman, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo made this known in reaction to the picketing of MTN office saying ALTON is very concerned about this unfortunate development.

According to him, picketing of such nature as reported to ALTON which led to injury to persons and damage to properties creates an unfortunate situation where employees are coerced to join unions and associations without respect for their individual rights of voluntary association.

“Damage to any telecom facilities will lead to the disruption of critical national security and economic services which will expose innocent citizens to great danger,” he said, declaring that employees of ALTON members are able to join or form associations and unions if they so desire.

Also, ALTON said, the practice is that membership of any associations and unions are voluntary.

They insisted that in line with fundamental human rights regarding freedom of association as guaranteed by the constitution, “individuals must not be compelled to join an association or union if they do not choose to do so.”

ALTON further urged the government and its law enforcement agencies to intervene expeditiously, otherwise “we will advise our members to consider preventive shut down in order to avoid further damage to network facilities.”

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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ALTON demands Executive Order on telecom infrastructure

ITREALMS:

The Association of Licensed Telecom Operations of Nigeria (ALTON) is demanding expressly for an Executive Order by President Muhammad Buhari on telecom, as critical national security and economic infrastructure, reports ITRealms.

Making this demand, ALTON through its chairman, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, at the weekend, told ITRealms, that the call has become imperative because telecom services are critical to national security and economic infrastructure of the country and supports several economic sectors.

“Our industry supports many other economic sectors of the economy. We are also the first layer of critical infrastructure for socio economic development and security.

“It is pertinent to state that unless telecoms facilities have first level of protection by government, it will be difficult to provide uninterrupted services to the citizenry,” ALTON warned.

According to ALTON chairman, “we respectfully requests for an Executive Order to be issued designating ‘Telecom Infrastructure as Critical National Security and Economic Infrastructure’ as prescribed in the Cybercrime Act, 2015.” 

In addition, ALTON commended the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for being in the forefront of making sure that the ease of doing business is achieved by all stakeholders in the industry.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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NTA Social Media Gag Order: Dictatorship in Democracy?

Commentaary@ITRealms: 

On the 15th of January 2018, the management of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) which is the official government-owned television station, sent an internal circular to its staff expressly restraining them from relating with online publications which concern sensitive and topical national issues. According to the circular which emanated from the Office of the Executive Director (Administration & Training) the act was described as ‘embarrassing’ and ‘reckless and unethical’.

It is baffling that the NTA would issue this kind of instruction to its staff when Section 6(1) of the NTA Act specifically states that ‘It shall be the duty of the Authority to provide as a public service in the interest of Nigeria, independent and impartial television broadcasting for general reception within Nigeria.’ (emphasis ours)

The NTA was set up to report and make available to the country, news as it is. It is understood that there is hate speech – that sometimes, information can be couched in a way as to incite violence against groups of people or the government. That, obviously, is forbidden and quite unethical.

It should, however, be pointed out that this is not what is being referred to by the NTA in its circular. The circular makes it abundantly clear that what it forbids is ‘sensitive and topical national issues’. It is highly ridiculous and ironic for a federal news agency to forbid the broadcast of national issues simply because they are ‘sensitive’ or ‘topical’. Where else are the citizens supposed to get non-partisan and unadulterated news on national events but from the National TV?

Perhaps the management of NTA has forgotten that it belongs, not to any political party or to please the government, but to cater to the people. And it is to these same people, the NTA has a responsibility. The truth is, if there are topical, sensitive and even controversial issues going on in Nigeria, they must be reported by NTA. It is not the job of NTA to ensure the ignorance of the Nigerian citizens by deciding what their hearts can take and protecting them from the reality of affairs in Nigeria simply because they are topical and sensitive. The best the NTA can do in reporting sensitive matters is to put in excellent effort in its delivery to contain the reaction of its consumers.

Section 6 (2) of the NTA Act provides “The Authority shall ensure that the services which it provides, when considered as a whole, reflect the unity of Nigeria as a Federation and at the same time give adequate expression to the culture, characteristics and affairs of each State, Zone or other part of the Federation.”

It may be the claim of the management of NTA that the circular was intended to ensure the ‘unity of Nigeria as a Federation’, but a further reading of the same provision would, however, reveal the spirit of this law. It says that ‘at the same time, give ‘adequate expression to… affairs of each State… or other part of the Federation.’

Additionally, the management of NTA needs to be directed to Section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which says, ‘Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference’ (the same is provided in Article 19 of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, which has been adopted in Nigeria)

The circular by NTA is very offensive to different degrees of the freedom of expression and the right to information. This is condemnable to us, and to every Civil right-respecting individual. The management of NTA is called upon to review its instructions bearing in mind its statutory responsibilities to the Nigerian people.

We are not asking the  NTA to do anything outside what it was set up to do. Section 8(1)(c) of its enabling Act states that it is the duty of the Authority to ensure ‘that any news given in the programmes (in whatever form) is presented with accuracy, impartiality and objectivity’. NTA is not to cower or shy away from the news but is to give news with accuracy, impartiality and objectivity.

* Adeboye Adegoke and Adeboro Odunlami are digital rights advocates with Paradigm Initiative, the pan-African digital rights group. 

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Call EFCC to order now - Group tells FG

ITREALMS:

A civil society organization, Media Initiative against Injustice, Violence and Corruption -MIIVOC has warned Nigeria’s Federal Government to immediately act on the report of the Committee to harmonize issues around the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Agency Bill, to save the nation from imminent expulsion from the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units, reports ITRealms.

Executive Director of MIIVOC, Dr. Walter Duru, who gave the warning while speaking to ITRealms in Abuja, Tuesday, expressed shock at what he described as the desperation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to retain control of the NFIU, against the interest of the country and international best practice.

He called on the Federal Government to call the anti-graft agency to order, before it throws Nigeria back to the dark days of being on the list of high risk jurisdictions in the world.

“The crux of the matter is the absence of autonomy for the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit-NFIU. Nigeria was suspended at the Egmont Group meeting held in China in July, 2017, following the refusal of Nigeria to make NFIU autonomous in its funding, operations and management of financial intelligence. The failure of Nigeria to pass a law making the NFIU independent is the main issue.”

“If Nigeria fails to comply with the group’s demand for a legal framework granting autonomy to the NFIU by March, 2018, the country may be expelled from the global body, which provides the backbone for monitoring international money laundering and terrorist financing activities.”

“When expelled, Nigeria will no longer benefit from financial intelligence shared by the other over one hundred and fifty member-countries, including the United States of America and the United Kingdom, while the country’s ability to recover stolen funds abroad will be hampered.”

“Another major consequence will be the blacklisting of Nigeria in international finance, and this could affect the issuance of Mastercard and Visa credit and debit cards by Nigerian banks. In fact, financial instruments from Nigeria may not be honoured abroad.”

“It could also affect the international rating of Nigerian financial institutions, restricting their access to some major international transactions. Nigeria’s membership of the Egmont Group ensured the removal of Nigerian banks from the blacklist of international finance. The blacklisting had prevented the banks from engaging in correspondent banking with foreign institutions and also denied Nigerians access to foreign credit cards.”

“Now, the situation is that the 8^th Senate has passed a version of the NFIA Bill, which wants the Agency domiciled in the Central Bank of Nigeria, with full autonomy. The House of Representatives passed a different version, proposing that it remains in the EFCC. A Committee was set up by the Federal Government to harmonize the differences. The Committee submitted its report late last year and till today, nothing has been done about it. Nigeria is at the verge of being expelled from the Egmont group of Financial Intelligence Units. Specifically, in March, 2018, it will take a miracle for Nigeria to escape expulsion from the Egmont Group.”

“The controversy over where it should be domiciled is needless, as we already have a clear guide. The version passed by the present Senate can save the situation. The surest way forward is to adopt the Senate version, produce a clean copy and present for immediate assent by the President. Anything outside this will fall short of the Egmont standard and place Nigeria in a disadvantaged position. The politics of wanting to continue to control the NFIU by the EFCC is self-serving and will land the country in a deeper mess.”

 “The last Egmont group statement about Nigeria is very clear. The issue of autonomy for Nigeria FIU is the crux of the matter. The statement reads in part: “……. Nigeria shall remain excommunicated until its commitments to the international community on the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing are met, including the specific issues related to the autonomy of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit.” At this stage, we are talking about outright expulsion of the country from the group.  This will spell doom for the country.”

“The Federal Government must call the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission-EFCC to order now, before it is too late. The implications of expelling Nigeria from the Egmont Group are far-reaching. Nigeria will fully return to the list of high risk jurisdiction countries of the world, if the EFCC is not called to order.”

“The argument that if the FIU is removed from EFCC, Nigeria will be expelled is the direct opposite of the situation and amounts to outright misrepresentation of facts. Countries like the United Kingdom have had reasons to move their FIU from Serious and Organized Crime Agency- SOCA to National Crime Agency- NCA. Just the same way Nigeria desperately needs to move its FIU away from the EFCC. We need an FIU that enjoys autonomy. The Egmont Group of FIUs and Financial Action Task Force-FATF shall never dictate for any country, where to situate its FIU. There is no such precedence and they have always made this clear. There is no alternative to NFIU autonomy. The surest way out of the looming humiliating expulsion of Nigeria is that the authorities call the EFCC to order. They must stop spewing falsehood and steer clear the FIU.”

Destiny Ugorji/GEE

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Buhari’s directive against IPOB a hate order - SERG

ITRealms:

The South East Revival Group (SERG) has described as hate order, the marching directiver by President Muhammadu Buhari to service chiefs to crush the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), reports ITRealms.

In its reaction to the directive, the group in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Chief Willy Ezugwu strongly condemned the order, saying it was part of plans for ethnic cleansing in Igbo land.

The reaction came at the Weekend after an emergency meeting by the central executive of the socio-political organisation in Enugu.

The statement added that "it is worrisome that a non-violent body like the IPOB should be included in an order to crush violent groups and criminal gangs.

"For us in the SERG, this directive is clearly a hate order, targeted against the people of South East and part of a plot to begin ethnic cleansing in Igbo land.

"Rather than support the on-going effort of South East Governor's Forum to address the development challenges in the zone, the President Buhari administration has again openly displayed its hatred to the people of the zone.

"Unarmed Igbo people of the South East have been killed, many more injured under the president government for holding an opinion. That is war against humanity.

"We call on the federal government to urgently address the development deficit in the South East region, which is the reason for the renewed agitation in the region.

"The South East is the only zone in Nigeria with the five states and the only part of the country with little or no federal presence.

"We also urge the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to order the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing to begin massive rehabilitation of federal roads across the South East zone.

"We believe that it’s time to end the shedding of innocent blood and sowing of seeds that fan the embers of disunity to preserve the country as one indivisible entity", the group stated. 

Ozo Nweke Ozo/GEE

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Public procurement: Computer Society commends FG’s order on local content

ITRealms:

The Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) has commended the Federal Government on its recent executive order in support of local content over the modules of public procurement, reports ITRealms.

President, Nigeria Computer Society, Prof. Sola Aderounmu, told ITRealms that NCS also aligns with the Executive Order on support for local content in Public Procurement by the Federal Government recently signed by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.

“To say the order is a welcome development is an understatement. Over the years, NCS has strongly advocated for the development of local content in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to drive growth, unlock youth potential and create jobs in Nigeria,” he asserted.

The Executive Order, he said, was received by NCS with great expectations and elation.

“We are indeed pleased that all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government are now mandated to grant preference to local manufacturers of goods and service providers in their procurement processes for a number of priority items including Information and Communication Technology (ICT) products,” NCS president said.

This development, he said, should stop the wasteful and unsustainable importation and adoption of foreign expertise and solutions. Stressing that Nigerian companies in the ICT sector have proven to be capable of delivering solutions needed in our public and private sectors. Even as deploying domestic products and services expands the local industry, fosters local job creation and boosts the local economy.

“Using innovation to bring efficiencies and create jobs in virtually all sectors, not just in ICT is critical to the success of the Federal Government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (EGRP). EGRP and sustainable development depend on having a vibrant and growing domestic ICT sector. Effective implementation of the Executive Order should therefore be a priority,” NCS president said.

The group, therefore, commends this bold and inspiring decision to support local initiatives and views the Executive Order as a welcome enabler. For the tech sector, the consistency is appreciated as the Order builds on the existing Guidelines on Nigerian Content in ICT.

NCS pointed out that with this order, Heads of MDAs are required to assess the monitoring, enforcement, implementation and compliance with the Executive Order.

“We look forward to collaborating closely with Government to ensure the successful implementation of the Executive Order. In addition, we assure the administration of the readiness of our group to collaborate with government on other important policy initiatives and issues in the ICT domain,” Aderounmu assured.

ITRealms recalls that  NCS  serves as the umbrella body of all the IT professionals and interest groups in Nigeria is of the firm belief that using this Executive Order to create the enabling environment for the development of local content is a major positive step forward. It opens up economic recovery and diversification possibilities inherent in the building of a truly inclusive and sustainable digital economy.

Nonye Dom/GEE

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Zinox chairman, Ekeh applauds FG over local content executive order

ITRealms:

The chairman of Zinox Group, Dr. Leo-Stan Ekeh has applauded the Federal Government (FG) on the recent signing of an Executive Order compelling its agencies to buy Made-in-Nigeria goods and services, reports ITRealms.

This move, Ekeh noted, would go a long way in boosting indigenous businesses and the local content drive in the country.

Speaking on this at the weekend in Lagos, Ekeh said that the order, signed by the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo last Thursday dwelt mostly on the preference for indigenous goods and services as well as the removal of bureaucracies which stall businesses. 

ITRealms recalls that the stipulated Executive Order, as detailed in a document presented by Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah, stated that all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government shall grant preference to local manufacturers of goods and service providers in their procurement processes for a number of items including food and beverages, motor vehicles, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) products, pharmaceuticals, construction materials, furniture and fittings, among others.

Thus reacting, Ekeh commended the FG’s move as a step in the right direction and a potential game-changer for many quality-minded local businesses in Nigeria.

“This announcement alone would have excited an army of 21^st Century young Nigerian entrepreneurs who have been facing depression based on rejection of their certified products by government agencies and parastatals. It is a great development in our new Nigeria and I pray the Federal Government demonstrates the will to implement this to the letter in order to activate real and progressive development in the country. As you know, this policy direction will potentially result in massive job creation for our youths.

“Granting preference to local manufacturers is a sure way of igniting the spirit of indigenous entrepreneurship. This is the standard the world over. Nigeria boasts a number of world-class companies whose products can compete favourably with those of their foreign counterparts. The problem has always been the right form of support from the government.

“Zinox, for instance, is patronized by a number of multinationals. Apart from Chevron Nigeria who remain one of our most regular customers, we have also enjoyed consistent patronage from other multinationals such as Total and Shell. Some of these companies – Chevron, Shell, Total have been patronizing Zinox for over 14 years and this is based purely on service quality as we all know the high standards these companies aspire to.

“I must commend the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo for this bold move which will certainly go a long way in strengthening our local industries, provide more employment for our youths and boost our local currency,” Ekeh declared.

Recollecting that Osinbajo had signed three Executive Orders giving specific instructions on a number of policy issues. They include the promotion of transparency and efficiency in the business environment designed to facilitate the ease of doing business in the country; timely submission of annual budgetary estimates by all statutory and non-statutory agencies, including companies owned by the Federal Government and the support for local contents in public procurement by the Federal Government.

“Any document issued by any MDA of government for the solicitation of offers, bids, proposals or quotations for the supply or provision of goods and services shall expressly indicate preference to be granted to domestic manufacturers, contractors and service providers and the information required to establish the eligibility of a bid for such preference.

“All solicitation documents shall require bidders or potential manufacturers, suppliers, contractors and consultants to provide a verifiable statement on the local content of the goods and services to be provided.

“Made in Nigeria shall be given overwhelming preference or at least 40% of the procurement spend on locally manufactured goods and services providers. Some priority items include: uniforms and footwear, food and beverages, motor vehicles, pharmaceuticals, construction materials, Information and Communication Technology, furniture and fittings and stationery.

“Within 90 days of this order, the heads of MDAs shall assess the monitoring, enforcement, implementation and compliance with this Executive Order and Local Content stipulations in the Public Procurement Act, or any relevant act within their agencies,” the document had stated.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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